REMPLOY’S Merthyr Tydfil factory will become a casualty of Government cuts, it has been confirmed.

A total of 35 jobs have now officially been put at risk at the factory, which manufactures and installs UPVC windows and doors, as it became one of 36 factories earmarked for closure across Wales.

Workers were told the news yesterday (Wednesday).

It marks the end of an eight-month campaign to save the sites, which saw protests and a 100,000-name petition handed in to 10 Downing Street.

Robert Price, 50, a shop steward who works at the Cyfarthfa Industrial Estate site, said: “They gathered us all in the canteen and told us on Wednesday afternoon.

“A lot of people were very upset and a lot of people were angry.

“To say that I am disappointed is an understatement. A lot of people have worked in the factory for a long time and many of them have families.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do. It is my birthday on Friday – what a birthday present this news is.

“When I started here 14 years there were 100 people and it used to be a joy coming to work.

“Lately it has not been good at all and today is a sad day.”

Tom Roberts, secretary of the Merthyr Tydfil Trade Union Council, who signed a 1,500 signature petition last year, said: “I think it is very sad news.

“We fought hard with the Remploy people and challenged the Sayce Review and made our points.

“It is a sad day for the people of Merthyr Tydfil.

“The people who work at the factories cannot simply go out and get another job.

“They are not able bodied in the same way and cannot represent themselves as individuals.

“We should be protecting these type of people in our society, now so more than ever.”

The decision has been taken by the Remploy board after the Sayce Review of last year, which concluded Government funding should be used to maximise the support for disabled people rather than subsidise specific organisations like Remploy.

The funding is expected to be reduced during 2012/13, which it believes are not “commercially viable”.

A Remploy spokesman said “During this consultation Remploy will consider all measures to avoid redundancies.

“Remploy will shortly issue a consultation document on the proposed factory closures and will start discussions with the trades unions and the management forums to begin formal consultation on the proposals.”

They added that Remploy’s Employment Service, which will continue even if it is removed from Government control, found 254 jobs for disabled and disadvantaged people in Merthyr Tydfil last year.

Speaking after the news, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney AM Huw Lewis said: “The news that the government are considering closing seven of the nine Remploy factories in Wales will come as a shock to employees, their families and the wider community.

“I have been working with staff and trades unions at the Merthyr factory for some time to secure its future and oppose plans by the government.

“I will be visiting the factory on Monday with Education Minister Leighton Andrews AM and am keen to support employees as best I am able.

“The Welsh Government has made it clear that it disagrees with any closures and will vigorously oppose such closures.”